On using your own ceremony music...this was my experience. First they said no. Then they said I'd have to rent the stereo system for 480. But here was my question- dont the WC's or whoever is conducting the ceremony usually have microphones- ie the stereo system? Every video I see the person performing the ceremony has a mic. I know for a fact that the pastor I hired will have one so if that is explained then I don't see why they wouldn't allow someone (or do it themselves) to play an iPod or cd up to the mic/in the speaker system for FREE! that's my way of getting around it.

1. so I went back on june to do a site visit and stayed on a deluxe room (the most basic one) on the Barcelo Bavaro Palace deluxe. I think those are the ones being renovated because they are more like 80s, the adults only rooms are nice (look at the pictures they are the superior rooms on the Barcelo Bavaro Beach website) but they dont have the jacuzzis on the balconies as the jr. suites at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe...

2. so the main lobby is where most of the restaurants are as well as the spa, casino, club, and big theater, however, there are 3 restaurants on the adults only side and another theater. When I went in June my room was next to the adults only (even though it was part of the palace deluxe) so I still had to take the train to go the the restaurants or the spa. I dont think it is a big inconvenience. The adults only side has its own pool and bars, and it is pretty close to the convention center were bar higuey and other reception venues are. The train runs from 8 am to 3 am and I didnt feel like it was a mission to get anywhere. I think it is a matter of luck where your room is located, you can stay on the barcelo bavaro palace deluxe and still be far. When I went I was only there for 2 days so I couldnt really hang out on the pool or anything, the feeling I got from the adults only was more chilled, no kids running around, playing on the pool or yelling which you do see on the palace deluxe side. most of my guest are couples who want to relax so 90% are staying on the adults only hotel.

3. mmm this is the same question I had and I asked Lianny, she said guests on adults only can only go to the restaurants on their side, the buffets, the steakhouse and the seafood restaurant, however, look what it says here: http://www.barcelo.c...ts-cuisine.aspx it looks like the only one not included will be the japanese and french which they can still go to for a $10 fee I think. Other than that they have access to the same pools, bars, etc.

Hi trivera5521, Thank you for the info! I do plan to have my reception in Bar Higuey and had no idea it was on the adults only side. That is good to know. I assume they let the children in for the receptions at least. I couldn't believe it was $200 cheaper...per person! And sounds like they get access to more things so that's a big pro. Glad they have the trolley. Great overview disazaja, thank you so much. Between you and trivera5521's responses, I feel like I can visualize everything! Good to know that the adult rooms are nice. I'm leaning toward thinking that it will be fine for some of my guests to stay on the adult side. I'd like everyone to be together, but honestly if it's just as nice and means that they can access pretty much everything AND save some money, I'm all for it. Plus I do realize that this will be their vacation as well so I want to take their needs into account, not just mine. It's great that you both got to do a site visit. I'm opting not to do one and just going by the judgement of you ladies and any other reviews I read online. For the money me and my fiance would spend on a site visit, we can be paying for our wedding bands or our deposit! This is really helpful, though.

Thanks for bringing up the question about staying at the adult resorts! I just contacted my TA about it and put the info on my wedding website that they have the option of staying at the Adult resort. ( I have had people complain about the resort price). Thanks once again!

With the resort credits I don't believe anyone used them. They were all something you had to use if you were buying a service and you could use it like a coupon. My guests tried to use the Casino money as-well that we got with check-in and it was pure chaos! You couldn't use it on any game of your choice it had to be table games like black jack... not roulette... or any others.. not slots... not Texas hold-em. You couldn't just use the resort money you had to bet a min of $10USD and bet 1 of the resort credits with it. Its like some of the coupons were to get you to do things... its a good way of advertising for the resort that is for-sure!! The Coupons can be useful if you were planning on already having a service like a massage then getting it discounted.... There are many free activities on the resort and the coupons and the things in the booklet are just money wasters/scam.... in my eyes and my guests!

Staying on the Adults Only side is a great option for people that may have no children. I had guests say they were so happy to be on that side and not the Palace side. It is alot quieter and if you are anti-child, couples or older you appreciate not being around kids screaming. Also the buffet on the Adults side is quieter. The food was prepped nicer, not as picked over, no lines (with families all trying to make an omlette etc.) Also there is always seating in the dining area of the buffet. Twice me and my hubby on the palace side got our food but walked and walked and could NOT find a table to eat our breakfast at. Also the buffet on the Adults side is quieter... ... SO I would have to say that the Buffet deal is a big deal! As humans we like our food and the buffet on this side is sooooooo much better!! The pool on the adults side is nice but it doesn't have the swim up bar. The palace side pools are more the party pools and that's where the activities team is so the music is bumping over there! We had mini speakers that we brought with us to the beach or placed on the poolside if you like to listen to tunes! The Lobby-bar on the Adults side is also very nice, good service, quality drinks and a cappuccino machine too ... the decor and ambiance is very inviting in the evening with beautiful furniture and lights.... they have the stage there and you get live shows like the Palace side... but again no children and its aimed at Adult entertainment. So at the end of this blurb I would recommend that if your guests are NOT upgrading to a Junior Suite and do NOT have children (teehee) encourage the Adults side